EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
587 
Hereafter we shall hope to give the fullest particulars of 
this sad visitation and the prophylactic means had recourse 
to. These questions cannot now be discussed,, but in the 
meantime we may exhort our readers to be on the look-out 
for smallpox, and for combating its fatality by inoculation 
to take the virus from the most benign case, to insert it with 
a mere prick of a finely ground needle, in one place only, and 
so superficially that not a stain of blood shall be seen.* 
THE JURIES BILL. 
In our last number our readers were informed that the 
members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, in 
common with pharmaceutical chemists, had been removed 
from the list of persons exempted from serving on juries by 
the casting vote alone of the speaker. On the bill being 
returned by the Commons to the House of Lords, the clause, 
so far as it related to pharmaceutical chemists, was, however, 
on the motion of Lord Wensleydale, reinserted. This was 
subsequently confirmed by the Commons, so that pharma¬ 
ceutical chemists now enjoy the same privilege as physicians 
and surgeons. We doubt not that equal justice would have 
been done to the members of our profession but for the un¬ 
fortunate circumstance that the noble lord. Lord Portman, 
who had undertaken our cause was unexpectedly called into 
the country, and therefore could not be in his place in their 
lordships’ house when we most needed his support. 
A knowledge of his lordship’s absence from town only 
reached those who were taking an active part in the matter 
on the day that the bill was to be reconsidered, and far too 
late to provide for the difficulty. For a time we have, there¬ 
fore, to bear with disappointment, but this must not dis¬ 
courage us ; rather, indeed, should it strengthen our efforts, 
and lead us to mature plans which shall be crowned with 
success by providing for all emergencies. 
* Since these remarks were sent to press we have received a telegram 
announcing a further extension of the disease, and requiring our immediate 
attendance. Our worst fears would thus appear to be about to be realised. 
